Top spot up for grabs as Australia lock horns with South Africa as team that wins will get an extra day’s rest before their semi-final.
Australia and South Africa face off for top-of-the-table clash along with top spot as well.
Marizanne Kapp and Chloe Tryon were on different sides of Holkar Stadium on Wednesday. While Kapp was making some high catches across the pitch, Tryon was lofting throwdowns inside out from the practice nets onto the main pitch. During South Africa’s lone ODI victory against Australia, Tryon and Kapp were on the same team and played crucial roles. When South Africa plays the same opponents in their final league match of the Women’s World Cup, they can be crucial once more.
This matchup is at the top of the standings. South Africa has ten points, whereas Australia has eleven and has not lost a game. The victor on Saturday will play India in the semi-final in Navi Mumbai, while the loser will head to the Guwahati semi-final, where England will be waiting.
In women’s cricket, an Australia vs. South Africa match has been unusual. Both teams had last played a bilateral series in 2016 (only ODIs) before beginning a multi-format series in 2024. Up until last year’s semi-final of the T20 World Cup, their encounters have frequently been limited to ICC competitions, in which Australia has won every occasion.
South Africa did well to post 271 in the 2022 ODI World Cup. But because of their poor fielding, which resulted in four missed catches, Australia easily won that chase, with Meg Lanning’s century surpassing Laura Wolvaardt’s 90.
However, in addition to knowing how to get to knockouts, this South African outfit also controls its nerves. This was demonstrated in the two chases in Visakhapatnam during this World Cup, as they pursued 233 against Bangladesh from 78 for 5 and 252 against India despite being 81 for 5. This is not to imply that they have only been fired for by the lower order. In the competition, up to five South African hitters have scored 150 runs or more.
Being tenacious is one of Australia’s promises. Whether using a bat or a ball, they never stop coming hard and provide little relief. Their all-around success will be greatly aided by Annabel Sutherland, who has so far excelled in the event with both bat and ball, assisted by the spin batteries.
Australia is in the lead. They will be aware, though, that South Africa is a team with a history, as evidenced by recent ICC competitions. In addition to first place in the league standings, a semi-final in Navi Mumbai, which has a better batting surface than Guwahati, and an extra day before a knockout match are also on the line.